Children's Teacher: 2nd QTR 2013

By Wilhelmina Moses

Children’s Teacher is a teacher’s quarterly. In addition to the exposition of the printed text, each of the thirteen lessons includes the purpose of the lesson, extensive teaching plans, lesson introduction, background of the lesson, meaningful insights, and related activities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Jan 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781589426023

Book preview

LESSON I

WEEK OF APRIL 7, 2013

JESUS APPEARS AGAIN

LUKE 24:36-50

Main Thought: Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have. (Luke 24:39, NIV)

UNIFYING PRINCIPLE

People find that promises are easy to make but hard to keep. Which promises can be relied on without reservation? Through the resurrection, Jesus kept his word and fulfilled the words of prophecy about him.

BIBLICAL EMPHASES:

• Jesus appeared to the disciples after His death on the cross of Calvary.

• Jesus proved He was not a ghost.

• Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled the Scriptures.

• Jesus blessed the disciples.

TARGET EMPHASES

PRESCHOOLERS: These children are learning that Jesus is alive.

YOUNGER CHILDREN: Younger children are beginning to understand the meaning of death.

OLDER CHILDREN: These children are learning how the power of God is superior over death.

LESSON OVERVIEW

The events that just took place in Jerusalem that Friday were horrifying to say the least. After being handed over by the Jews to the Roman officials, Jesus and two others were crucified on Calvary. Strangely enough, not everyone appeared to have knowledge of this sad course of events. Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking along the corridor of the Emmaus Road when they were confronted by a stranger who appeared to have no knowledge of the happenings in Jerusalem a couple of days ago.

Astonished at the stranger’s lack of knowledge of the events that took place in the holy city on the preceding Friday, Cleopus and his companion recalled how Jesus of Nazareth was tried, found guilty of blasphemy, and crucified. Oddly enough, the stranger, who at first appeared to know little about the events that took place on the previous Sabbath, began to show them how God was working through the course of human events to bring salvation to all people. When they reached their destination, they pleaded for the stranger to stay with them overnight. At supper, when they broke bread they realized it was Jesus. Suddenly, He disappeared from among them. Immediately they remarked about the special sensation they felt within themselves as they conversed with him and hurried off to inform the other disciples in Jerusalem about their encounter with the risen Lord. As they were discussing the matter, Jesus appeared to them again. Thinking he was a ghost the disciples were frightened, but Jesus reassured them he was indeed their Lord and Savior. He ate some food to prove He was not a ghost and taught them about how God had used Him to fulfill the Scriptures. Jesus blessed them and instructed them to carry on His mission of human salvation.

From this story, children can begin to understand that God had a purpose in sending Jesus. His death on the cross was a sacrifice for human sin. God approved of Jesus’ life and raised Him from the dead. His appearances to the disciples assured them that God always keeps His promises and has power over death and all other human problems. Children are to learn that there is nothing that can stop the power of God, not even death. The Emmaus Road experience is an example of God’s presence in our lives when we are least aware of it. The disciples’ hearts burned within as Jesus spoke to them, just as our hearts today should acknowledge the presence and power of His holy word. The disciples were happy their Lord had kept His promise and we should be also.

RESOURCES NEEDED

• New National Baptist Hymnal, 21st Century Edition #510 (NNBH #460)

• God’s Promises Bible

• Boyd’s Commentary for the Sunday School

SUGGESTED TEACHING PLAN FOR GROWING WITH JESUS

Materials Needed:

paper, crayons, art supplies

1. GETTING STARTED: Before class begins, place materials neatly on the table. As children come in greet them and tell them to get paper, crayons, and coloring pencils from the table. Identify new students and welcome all students to today’s class. Open the class with prayer and the hymn, He Arose.

2. A GREAT BEGINNING: Explain to students what crucifixion, the Roman form of execution, meant for Jesus. Point out the fact that Jesus died. Also, stress the fact that God approved of the life Jesus lived and raised Him from the dead.

3. AN IMPORTANT LESSON: Read the scriptures for today’s lesson. Tell the students that Jesus appeared to His disciples several times after He had been buried. God raised Him from the dead. Show how surprised the disciples were to see Jesus again. Emphasize that Jesus was a real person; he ate food and revealed to the disciples the scars of His